Spiritual empowerment: A conceptual model of mindfulness-based healing for Muslim mothers.

Muslim mothers in Western nations face unique stressors such as Islamophobia, cultural stigma, and social isolation. A spiritually integrated mindfulness support group, based on Imam al-Ghazali's framework and incorporating Islamic practices like muraqaba, dhikr, and tawakkul, can alleviate stress, foster spiritual growth, and strengthen community bonds. The Mindfulness Meditation Fundamentals pilot program taught participants mindfulness concepts and Islamic coping strategies, creating a 'homeplace' for resistance and cultural preservation. The article suggests that such mindfulness practice is uniquely conducive to spiritual empowerment and collective healing for Muslim mothers.

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Abstract

Muslim mothers in Western nations encounter unique challenges, including Islamophobia, cultural stigma, social isolation, and the pressures of balancing family and societal responsibilities. Spiritually integrated mindfulness support groups can serve as a vital intervention to address these challenges, alleviate stress, and foster cultural revitalization and spiritual empowerment. This article introduces a framework integrating Islamic concepts with mindfulness and its application in the Mindfulness Meditation Fundamentals pilot program to reduce stress, promote collective healing, spiritual growth, and strengthen community bonds among Muslim mothers. Participants learned mindfulness core concepts, Islamic coping strategies and practical tools for integrating mindfulness into daily life. Grounded in Imam al-Ghazali's framework, the program emphasized muraqaba (Islamic mindfulness meditative exercise), dhikr (remembrance of Allah), divine awareness, tawakkul (trust and surrender in God), and mindful salah (prayer) for spiritual growth. The article suggests that mindfulness practice is uniquely conducive to creating a spiritual homeplace for Muslim mothers, resonating with bell hooks' concept of the "homeplace" as a site of resistance. Together, Muslim mothers formed a community of resistance to preserve their cultural and religious identities while fostering a deep sense of spiritual empowerment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).